Coventry Storm face arguably the toughest of their remaining five National League fixtures when the Isle of Wight visit Brandon tonight (7.30pm).

The Islanders, pre-season favourites for the title, only have five points on the board from four matches after losing 49-41 at King’s Lynn on Wednesday, but they track a very strong configuration tonight.

If the Storm can take maximum points to add to the one they gained on the Island earlier in the month, that would give them an overall 4-2 swing over the Islanders and with a winnable trip to Kent coming up in August it would put them in pole position for a place in the play-offs.

But the visitors have massive strength at top and bottom of their team, having booked Charles Wright to guest for absent No.1 Tom Perry – the Buxton regular being on a run of 23 unbeaten races in succession.

Add Wright to brilliant teenager Adam Ellis, who can take seven rides at reserve, and the Islanders will clearly arrive with major race-winning potential and much will depend on how the Storm can contend with the visitors’ middle-order, which does not include former Coventry rider Brendan Johnson who misses out due to an ankle injury.

Premier League commitments rule out Joe Jacobs, who should be available for the Storm’s remaining meetings, but all of his team-mates are eligible for an extra ride in his absence.

Club bosses are hopeful of a sizeable turnout for tonight’s fixture, especially given the attractive opposition including Ellis, and with admissions just £10 and free for children.

Attendances for National League meetings have been generally encouraging but there is still a sizeable percentage of regular Bees fans who have not yet sampled racing at this level.

Co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “The National League is giving us speedway every Friday night here, which is what we wanted to do, and the racing so far has been second to none. We’ve had some great meetings and these boys give it their all. I’ve seen racing as good as in the Elite League, and that’s not just me saying that.”